MICHIGAN MAPLE SYRUP ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2002

The Board Meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. President Haigh reported that about 135 people had pre-registered for the meeting. We reviewed the items needed to be included in the packets. Larry reviewed the agenda for Saturday. A guest, Matt Thomas, a graduate student from the University of Wisconsin is doing a three-year research project on maple production and history for Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. This meeting will also have information available for the bus trip to New Hampshire in October. An article about the trip will also be put in the Farmer's Exchange.

A new newspaper, THE MAPLE NEWS, was mailed to most members. Our cookbooks and Kistler's operation were written up. Ron Thomas reported that R&J Screenprinting will be at the conference. The Association will sign the contract with them on Saturday.

Larry received an invitation from Purdue University Extension office regarding the First Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference. It will be held March 21, 2002 in Plymouth Indiana. The new MMSA logo labels are printed in blue and red. The labels can be obtained through Cathi Bates. Cathi indicated that she had contacted Farm Bureau regarding printing and mailing costs of the Newsletter, but they never responded. She will investigate other printers and mailers for prices.

Craig Arnold is working on the fall tour for 2002. He has contacted producers in the Boyne City area. Craig compiled a photo album from the 2001 fall tour and will continue this idea for future fall tours. Each producer hosting the tour will receive a framed photo.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Maday, Secretary